The 23-year-old golfer managed five birdies, three of which came in her last four holes in what was an incredible performance.
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While there was jubilation with wrestler Ravi Kumar Dahiya winning the silver medal and heartbreak with Deepak Punia and Vinesh Phogat’s exit at the Tokyo Olympics on Thursday, there was one Indian athlete who displayed a brilliant performance but largely flew under the radar. That athlete is golfer Aditi Ashok. Golf has never been the strong point of India at the Games, so it is quite understandable why fans were more excited to see the wrestling bouts. Also because the golfing event began at 4 am in Indian time. That, however, does not take away the fact that Aditi’s performance was one of the highest order.
The Indian golfer is currently tied in second place after two rounds of the women’s individual stroke play event. She is four shots behind leader Nelly Korda of the US. The 23-year-old golfer managed five birdies, three of which came in her last four holes in what was a rather hot day at the Kasumigaseki Country Club. She is tied second on nine-under 133 with Danish golfers Nanna Koerstz Madsen and Emily Kristine Pedersen. Aditi now has a very good chance of winning a golf medal for India at the Olympics. It would an incredible feat if she manages to do so.
Leader Korda was 11-under after 17 holes and looked set for a historic sub-60 score of 59 at the Par-71 course. Aditi had come up with birdies on hole numbers 2, 5, 15, 17, and 18. The golfer said that she did not have any short approaches all day, barring a couple of times, after the day’s play came to an end. There still are three rounds yet to play, but Aditi looked quite confident and composed on the day.
“The last three holes, I had a couple of shots that were just a good number for me and I hadn’t really had any short approaches all day, maybe just a couple,” the golfer said. “This whole week there’s going to be so many girls making birdies, especially because the weather’s warm and the conditions are favorable,” she added.
“I think whatever holes I get to play, whether it’s 54 or 72, I’m not really going to sit on anything, I’m just going to try and be as aggressive and make more birdies,” said the confident Indian golfer.
When asked whether she could win a medal, she replied positively. It is not surprising that her confidence is high after such a brilliant performance. “Oh, yeah, for sure. It’s kind of like everyone’s thinking about it. It’s definitely at the back of my mind. But on the course, I’m not really thinking much about it. I’m just trying to hit the best shot I can hit,” she said when asked about her medal aspirations.
Aditi also hoped that people back home were watching her play, although she admitted that she only knew a few friends who woke up that early to watch her do what she does best. “And hopefully people back home are watching it a lot more. I know a few of my friends are staying up to watch, which is cool. Olympics is huge. In a regular event, people just wouldn’t follow it as much, even if it was an LPGA event or a major. So, yeah, I think the buzz has been good so far,” she said.
